By the time Sororitas Daemonica and I had walked back to my parent’s home in the woods, night had fallen, but the darkness was somewhat illuminated by the light of the moon upon the snow. Cranbeatha stood as a silent sentinel in front of my parents’ home, illuminated by the gentle glow coming from the windows of the cabin. I’m home again and I come with friends, a thought that I never thought would ever occur outside my lonely imagination.
Cranbeatha, as if sensing my presence launches from the ground, transforms into his staff form, and floats toward me and to my and everyone else’s surprise speaks, “My soul giver, I have waited for your return. Please next time bring me with you on any journey, for our souls are intertwined much like our destinies. You said we would do great things together, and I intend for you to keep your word.”
“The tree moves and speaks…” says Mary pushing her sister in front of her like a shield.
I shrug my shoulders, almost every time I interact with Cranbeatha something new happens. I look at Cranbeatha and ask “Cran, when did you learn to speak?”
“I modified a few structures within myself to make a voice box of sorts similar to yours,” says Cranbeatha excitedly oscillating in the air, “I felt that if we were to work as a team, we would need to communicate better so I’ve been making several changes to myself to prepare for the journeys ahead. Also, I enjoy the name Cran. A nickname from you is a pleasure to receive, my soul giver.”
“You can just call me Skath, there isn’t a need to call me soul giver or anything like that,” I say kind of feeling uncomfortable by the honorific title that Cran had bestowed upon me.
“Yes, my soul… Skath, also I’m excited to say that I have prepared a few things while you were asleep, inspired by our grandfather,” says Cran twirling in the air, and three black fruits grow quickly from the circular hole his main two branches form. These three fruits detach themselves from Cran and float around Cran like the moon does the world of Nuren.
“I wonder how those taste,” says Lilith walking forward to grab one of the floating fruits, and Cran whips around and slaps her hand.
“Do you wish a quick death,” says Cran hovering the fruits out of reach of Lilith, “these ‘fruits’ are prototype fireworks, not edible treats.”
“You made explosives?” I ask shocked at Cran’s industriousness and lack of care when it comes to danger, “How? I kind of know how to make a firework from what Grandpa taught me about chemistry, but how did you make these?”
“What you know, I know,” says Cran with a twirl, “I merely collected resources from the soil, and repurposed my biology to make the components needed. Charcoal was easy as it is literally just charred wood which I derive from my own biology, then I gathered saltpeter and sulfur which I can derive from things I can absorb from the soil itself. After I gathered all the ingredients, I then mix these ingredients together with some various elements like magnesium and I can essentially grow biological fireworks.”
“I kind of want to see one,” I say curious to know if the twig had pulled off what it said it had. Cran as if reading my thoughts lights the stem of one of the fruits and flings the fruit into the air from what I assume is a limb made of essence. The fruit disappears into the dark of night and in an incredibly loud burst, a shower of white fire dances in the air.
I look behind me to see all four women hiding behind trees and hear the front door of my family’s cabin slam open behind me. I see the terrified face of my mother and Gareth, and my father appearing to recognize the sound and the sight calmly walks to witness the spectacle. Cran then tosses the other two shells into the air and two sky flowers ignite with vibrant sound and light. Purple and red flames light the sky and fade into smoke.
“Seeing the reaction of your new friends, I’d say that your grandfather was correct in that these will certainly ‘scare the shit’ out of the village,” says Cran bouncing up and down in the air, “I couldn’t do nothing as you rested, and I hope you are pleased with my work.”
“You certainly have blown me away Cran,” I say taking Cran into my hand, “You surprise me more and more, and I’m glad to have you as a friend.”
Cran quivers with joy hearing me say that and responds, “Without you I would have died, never living up to my mother, the queen of the mountain. This is the least I could do.”
“Skath, what in your father’s hells was that?” says my mother still cautiously looking upward searching the sky for another firework.
“Whatever it was, that was awesome,” says Lilith running up to Cran and running a hand down the shaft of his body, “Can you do it again stick?”
“I’m not a stick!” yells Cran in his whistle-like voice, straining against me to try and bonk Lilith on the head.
Ashe walks out from behind her tree, and stares at the trails of smelly smoke in the air and mutters, “Are there more wonders like this beyond the black walls?”
Mary, almost in tears, follows behind Esther grasps at the fabric of Esther’s tunic into the light of the cabin, and all of us stand in an awkward silence. Esther approaches my mother, and I can tell there is a certain weight in her being here that is unspoken yet apparent. My mother, seeing her sister, runs up to her and gives her what I could tell was a near back breaking hug.
“I’m glad that we can start over,” says my mother still clutching her sister, “I’ve dreamt of the day you would come and visit me and my family. The day you came to my cabin by the village breaking the silence of passes was the happiest gift I could have received. Welcome to my home, my dear little sister.”
My mother lets go of Esther and guides her into our home, and waves to us to follow her in. Gareth, very overstimulated by the events of the day stands oblivious to the world as he is still frozen in place watching the sky. Lilith passing by him socks him in the face to bring him back to reality, and I watch as everyone walks into my home. I feel a moistness on my cheek, and smile. This can’t be real; it has to be a dream.
“Skath, if you stay out there, you’ll catch a cold!” shouts my mother, and responding to her Cranbeatha and I walk into the warmth of a home filled with friends and family.
My father greets me at the door and quietly asks, “What’s the matter boy?”
“Nothing, I just can’t believe what I’m seeing is all,” I whisper, and he pats me on the back as I take my place at a full table of guests, and various treats.
“If demons eat so well, I would have traded the goddess for Martog a long time ago,” says Lilith, already helping herself to the various foods on the counter left behind by Argentum.
“Mr. Incubus sir… is it alright for us to… eat your food,” says Mary looking toward my father, and he delivers a scowl to Esther.
“She calls Skath Mr. Demon, so please don’t take it personally Turas. I apologize for calling you that in the past, and I know it was wrong, but to explain to them what you are I may have accidentally used that word and she kind of picked it up,” says my aunt clearly ashamed of herself and Mary’s use of what must have been an old insult or how she truly perceived my father.
“It’s fine,” says my father raising a hand to gesture his acceptance of the apology, “I’ve been called much worse.”
My father takes a seat in his chair, and begins to whittle a new wooden carving, and my mother gleefully looks at every person around her table and decides to tease Gareth, “So, tell me Gareth, is your girlfriend amongst these wonderful women here?”
Before Gareth could speak Lilith, blushes and burst out of her seat, “who would love a brute like him.”
Gareth rolls his eyes and smiles at Lilith in response and Esther hides a smile behind her hand. Mary clearly enjoyed her sister’s discomfort, as it seemed like it was a rare occurrence, or that Mary’s embarrassment was generally the source of Lilith’s entertainment. Ashe’s expression was different to everyone else’s as she looked depressed for some reason as she put a hand on Lilith’s back and tugged at her tunic to get her to sit back down.
“Anyway… that outburst aside… we are here for an important reason. We all desire to break Uzuri free from her current confinement under Gehenna’s rule,” says Ashe getting down to the true reason we are here, “With the high matriarch dead, Gehenna can be assumed to be the de facto leader of the village. If we so much as say we know of her death, we could be labeled heretics for visiting the site of atonement. Gehenna, is in a position of absolute and uncontestable power until the village grows concerned for the welfare of their connection to the goddess.”
“Magdala’s dead?” asks my mother, the news of her mother’s death being delivered so abruptly visibly troubling her.
“Gehenna killed mum,” says Esther taking her seat to sit closer to her sister, “but now isn’t the time to morn. Gehenna is on the move again, and if torturing, raping, murdering, and using his own daughter as leverage aren’t beyond him, we have much more to fear now that no one checks his power.”
“I know our relationship was always strained, but she was still my mother. Why can’t I have a moment to process this? I never had a chance to repair our relationship, and now I never will,” says my mother tears falling from her eyes, and my aunt began to stroke her back to try and comfort her. My father, seeing my mother’s distress joined my aunt in her attempts to console my mother, and I felt shame in knowing that I had a part in causing my mother this pain.
“Well, we are here to plan right?” says Lilith trying to take control of the meeting, “the two numbskulls may have a plan, so let’s hear it.”
Gareth beamed as he had a chance to impress the girl, he had feelings for spoke up immediately, “Skath and I were going to dress up like a demon to scare the village, and then Skath would use his magics to break into my home to free Uzuri!”
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“That is so idiotic, that all thoughts in my head died all at once,” says Ashe her face contorted in an expression of utter disbelief, “Your plan was to scare the village and just trounce right on in. Skath already did that in a way, and the element of surprise you once had is gone! Also, what was your plan if you were attacked by the guards of the village? Were you just counting on magic to get you out of trouble? Honestly, your plan is suicidal, and bound for failure.”
“We didn’t have a lot of time to workshop ideas, as my grandfather’s gloves attacked me before we had a chance to come up with anymore possible plans,” I say my face red, and knowing perfectly well that my last statement wouldn’t make any sense to most of the people in the room.
“You could still use Skath’s plan,” says my mother piping in, “just have something else be the demon.”
“The closest thing to a demon in this valley, is Dargot,” I say not really understanding what she meant by her comment.
“The Martog Born Beast?” asks Mary quivering in her seat, “he’s eaten several of the strongest guards of the village… Why would we dare do anything to incite his ire?”
“Leading that boar to the village as a distraction, would get the guards off our tails, and we could then go and free Uzuri while the village is in chaos,” says Lilith with a thoughtful grin.
Ashe angerly rises from her chair and says, “We would have to find a way to lead that monster to the village. This idea is just as bad as the last one. Also, my father is a guard! I do not want him to be endangered by any of our plans.”
“I do not wish for our plans to harm anyone as well,” I say acknowledging Ashe’s words and she sits down quelled by my addressing her concerns with my own, “This is why we wished to use the demon disguise as a tactic, to clear a safe path for us, so no one would be in real danger.”
“Why not use the best of both ideas,” says Cran in my hand, “if we change the person disguised, and use the reputation of the boar to our advantage, we could endanger no one and execute our plan without fear.”
“Explain Cran,” I say confused at what the staff was getting at.
Cran lifts me into the air from my seat. I hold on with all my might as he hovers me around the counter and ignores my protests to put me down. He then returns me to my chair and says, “I can lift so much more than just you.”
Ashe’s eyes light up as she seems to understand Cran’s strange and opaquely explained ideas, “If the boar’s will is the problem, why not remove the boar’s will entirely. If Dargot is dead, and Cran can lift his corpse then we could truly have a terrifying doll to use. The guards can fight against the already dead Dargot, while we sneak behind everyone and free Uzuri!”
“Do we… really… need to use a corpse,” says Mary turning pale, and Cran’s excitement in stark contrast to Mary is apparent as he shakes in my hand. I’m guessing he’s happy someone was able to understand him, even though he was being very vague about his ideas.
“I don’t wish to kill the boar,” I say bowing my head, “I wish to find a way to save Uzuri that doesn’t harm or kill any living thing, which includes Dargot.”
“Unfortunately, Skath, that is exactly what you will do,” says my father putting his carving aside.
“Wait, father, I can’t” I say trying to contest my father, but I’m met with his shaking head.
He walks up to me and says, “I still must train you, and I will consider Dargot’s head your means of completing my lessons. I believe that if you refuse me, Argentum will probably come and collect. So, tell me Skath, is Dargot’s life more precious than Uzuri’s and your lives?”
“Turas? Why are you putting this on the boy?” asks my mother from across the table, “Why can’t he go forward with his ideals alive?”
“He may hold those ideals, but very few others do. His opponent is Gehenna, and he should be prepared to ask himself if he or anyone he cares for is endangered will he be willing to do what is necessary?” says my father raising my head so that I look him in his eyes, “Dargot is the perfect first bounty for Skath, as Dargot has killed and will go on to kill more people if he isn’t stopped. I know we haven’t killed it in the past, to use Dargot as a scarecrow for Skath to keep him away from the western wood and the site of atonement, but it’s time for that beast to be put down. Also, after this masquerade you all are preparing, we can feast on boar to celebrate your success.”
“If you think this will help him, I’ll let you go forward with whatever you are planning,” says my mother biting her lip.
“I wouldn’t put him through this if I didn’t think it wouldn’t,” says my father returning to his chair, “we begin training tomorrow morning Skath, so prepare yourself, as Dargot should be the least of your worries.”
“Dargot is as good as dead, especially if we all work together to kill that devil!” says Gareth pumping his fist in the air. I have a feeling that he may think this might be a prestigious and perfect start for him becoming the next village chief. A golden opportunity to show his worth not only to the village, but to the goddess, and probably Lilith as well.
My father shakes his head, “Skath will kill it on his own. He must both initiate combat with the boar and be the reason for its terminal breath.”
“Why?” I asked flustered by my father’s insistence.
“You do not wish to put your comrades in danger, do you?” says my father with a malicious grin, “I’ll tell you why later, just know that this is my expectation for you to go forward with your plan and to receive my approval so that Argentum doesn’t take your life debt early.”
I sit silent as I am now trapped to break my promise with Uzuri again, or else I will die, and she will remain trapped. My father also caught me in another crux of the promise I made with Uzuri, as he brings up a valid point. I can’t endanger my allies in a situation where the only people I know of that can take on Dargot are my father, my mother, and most likely me. Conflicted, I can only muster the words, “I will do as you ask.”
“What do we do in the meantime to prepare?” asks Esther, giving me an understanding gaze from across the table.
“We do not know Gehenna’s goals,” I say trying to push my anxieties deep inside myself, “Has he done anything to fortify Uzuri’s prison since his hands have been smashed?”
“Nothing,” says Esther perplexed by my question.
“That makes no sense to me, as I basically told him I was coming for her again. Why would he push forward the Amolacrimae, instead of fortifying her prison? What is he trying to do, as it seems like he wants me to try and save her again?” I say putting my hand to my face and I rub my head to try and muster some reasoning from Gehenna’s actions.
“Are you trying to say that you think he’s setting a trap for when we go through the trials?” asks Gareth looking down at the table.
“He’s not just muscles, so we have to be prepared for anything,” says Esther nodding to her son.
“Exactly,” I say acknowledging Esther’s comment, “He could be preparing a set of trials for us, or rather specifically me that are impossible to pass, to ensure my death. If we are going to save Uzuri, and considering Gareth controls the trials, if we are going to act, we need to do it before the Amolacrimae. The only question is why move the Amolacrimae forward? And why kill the high matriarch? The high matriarch has defended Gehenna in the past, and I think she would be open to his ideas especially preparing trials to get rid of her Martog-born grandson.”
“He must be aware that you have allies now. With his wife turning on him, he might be changing strategies,” says Lilith raising her hands up to gesture toward all of us, “He’s losing his own allies to Skath, which might be forcing his hand. Not only that, but with Gehenna’s wife sowing the seeds of an opposing sect to the religion of the village, some of those loyal to him for religious reasons may have doubts now.”
“He lost the support of his family, and a few villagers, but this doesn’t mean he doesn’t have plenty of other followers,” says Esther her eye’s looking downward her face construing the idea that she was being consumed by a regretful memory, “Gehenna has many loyal allies that he uses as spies and enforcers. When he was enacting his plans that led to my sister’s banishment and the birth of Uzuri he had many of his subordinates spy on the teratolion for him, and protect the foul prison he made for Uzuri’s mother. He never truly acted alone.”
“Who are the sick bastards who would go along with all of Gehenna’s horrible plots,” says Lilith looking just as surprised as I was that Gehenna didn’t act alone.
Ashe took on a similar expression to Esther and said, “the village guard. My father has lost himself to alcohol to try and forget what happened to the teratolion woman. He wanted what Gehenna did, to rid the village of the Incubus, or rather Turas, because he thought what Gehenna thought. No protection coming from Martog is true protection. Only when Gehenna began to step into the realm of Martog himself, did my father realize what his ‘virtuous leader’ had planned, and years later he still tries to forget the horrors he had to defend. I only know this much from his drunken ramblings.”
“Were there any others that helped Gehenna?” I ask trying to obtain a better idea of who we are up against.
“The village matriarchs, and the wives of the guard,” says my aunt grabbing a small cake from the table, “They all had some part to play, such as being the secret keepers of Gehenna, and one of the matriarchs was Uzuri’s mother’s midwife. These women also acted as a comfort and driving force for their husbands and the members of the guard, convincing them they were doing nothing wrong, and that the goddess was securing a place for them in her embrace. It is believed that wives hold some sway with the goddess when their husbands approach her for judgement, so why wouldn’t these men believe the words of their wives and matriarchs. Their very souls and eternal destinies are not truly theirs to decide.”
“Again, why kill the high matriarch? If she was his ally, what purpose would killing her serve?” I ask trying my best to derive a motive for Gehenna.
“Mum was a stickler for tradition. If his plan needed the Amolacrimae to be when he needed it, she would have gotten in his way,” says my mother shuddering, “If all his allies are in positions of power such as the village guard and the matriarchs, this may be his first step to changing the very future of the village. My mother could change history with the authority afforded her from the goddess, so if Gehenna proves himself again as a champion of the goddess, we may not have a high matriarch, but a high priest and chief instead.”
“He was perfectly comfortable being chief,” says Esther refuting my mother’s theory, “I don’t think power alone is what motivates him.”
“What else could he want?” I ask picking up a jelly roll from the counter and biting into it, to satisfy my now growling stomach.
“I don’t know,” says Esther as she slumps back in her chair scratching her head.
“I guess that is how we prepare moving forward,” I say my mind a mess with thoughts, “we need to know what Gehenna is planning. I don’t think Gareth or Esther can effectively do this being so close to him, but you three might.”
“You… want… us… to spy on Gehenna,” says Mary almost hiding behind her hair.
“Consider Gehenna’s secrets found,” says Lilith, and Ashe nods her approval of my thought.
“What about us?” says Gareth pointing at himself and his mother.
I do what I can to think up a plan for them, but they are in a position of most risk, but also a position of most opportunity, “sabotage. If we can get in and out of your home, easily and quickly we will be able to smuggle Uzuri out safely. The plan may hinge on how fast we can pull it off, so we need to make sure that we aren’t trying to take down a fortress. Also, if we can win more villagers to Esther’s sect, we may be able to sow seeds of discord in Gehenna’s ranks. In fact, that could be pivotal for the future peace I wish for Uzuri to create with the teratolion and the village.”
“Well, that’s going to be a first,” says Esther with a chuckle, “instead of cleaning my home, I’ll be willfully destroying it. Also, I didn’t plan on stopping my preaching, so consider both requests fulfilled.”
“I’ll do what I can to make a path for us,” says Gareth nodding his approval, “I’ll also do what I can to make sure whatever I do won’t be discovered by Gehenna.”
“I’ll go after Dargot,” I say, and I look over to my father who flashes me a half smile, his eyes seeming to house flames.
“What about Turas and your mother?” asks Gareth flashing a curious glance at both of my parents.
“I’ve sworn not to interfere with the village,” says my father with little hesitation, “you cast me out, and I’ve promised my wife not to endanger her family, which I’m still not sure whether freeing Uzuri will bring upon your people the wrath of the teratolion or not. I will train Skath to perform what he needs to do but come the day of enacting your plan I will be right here preparing for the feast we will have to celebrate your victory over Gehenna.”
“If I’m found in or near the village, I could very well be blamed for being a witch and cause of the commotion you will create. I can’t guarantee the village’s safety if I’m captured or if anything happens to me. However, I will help how I can from my cabin, which you can all use as a safehouse,” says my mother her gaze fixed upon my father, who nods to her.
“What do… you… mean that the village would… be in… danger,” mumbles Mary her gaze jumping from my father to my mother.
“If anything happens to my wife at the hands of the village, I will break my oath to her and the wrath of the teratolion will look like heaven compared to my fury,” says my father without looking away from his new carving.