Tartarus Beckons, Edmund Batara [bts book recommendations .TXT] 📗

were fond of using it as an arrogant suffix to their given names. I could use Alla Xul, though it means evil god, or Utuk Xul, evil spirit this time. Even Alal Xul, or evil destroyer. But that would be what I call obvious and a serious, certified magnet for unwarranted conflicts.”

“Fine. Alal the Akkadian you will be. The evil suffix is certainly out of the running. Your aura is disturbing enough.”

“Not Sumerian? I had my origin in that society.”

“Too obvious. One bright mortal or deity might be able to put it all together. Anyway, from what I have heard, they’re now all collected in the Dual Monarchy as one people. Many tribes though – Akkadian, Sumerian, Chaldean, and others,” explained Tyler.

Then Tyler turned to the watching and listening Labiru and explained the problem of the party above them having two destinations. The mage didn’t need to explain anything else. Trying to would be an insult to the intelligence of the old man who was already fidgeting with impatience. Labiru said he’d take care of it. Two rock portals would appear – the one on the right would lead to Freyr’s temple, and the one on the left, back to a place near the main road, close to Fargravik. A large opening then appeared on the rock wall.

“There’s your passage back to the surface, or specifically, the cave. It will take a few minutes of walking. We’re that deep under the mountain. Call me by my name if there’s anything else, my magic will bring the message to me. Labiru will do,” said the old man.

“And our magic?”

“For now, my cloak of magic covers this part of the mountains. Members of your party, except Asag, or Alal as he now calls himself, would be able to use your spells inside the mountain. You’ll be able to use it normally when you’re at your destination,” clarified Labiru swiftly, who then leaned toward him and whispered in his ear. “And my utmost, heartfelt thanks for getting that annoying imp out of my hair.”

“I heard that!” shouted the demon. A reply to which Tyler and Labiru merely laughed in amusement. Alal, for his part, seemed to take it in stride.

Quite a strange entity for a demon. More like a dark god. A weird dark god, observed Tyler again.

Saying their goodbyes and thanks, the two entered the magical portal, but not without Labiru’s hope never to see you again remark to Asag. As the two walked through the tunnel which reminded the mage of Hrun’s passageway. He turned to Asag.

“Could you do this spell?” he asked.

“Not in the same way. We do have our differences in style. My version is not so… pedestrian,” replied the demon.

That I expected, thought the mage.

“About what you said back in the cave, the one about dazzling the masses. The tone you took could only mean you did rule, at least for time. Am I right?” asked Tyler.

“That was back in the old world and through a mortal host. I did enjoy it while it lasted. Waging war and conquering kingdoms was an enormously satisfying experience.”

“Human sacrifices and the like?”

“Why do you mortals always equate demons with such things? And why would I do that? Reduce my potential market of bodies to possess? No, I did something far, far worse.”

“And that is?”

“I had all the temples destroyed and began a cult teaching that all the deities were demons and not to be trusted,” laughed Asag boisterously. “It was a prank. Something to give those arrogant bastards apoplexy. But they didn’t appreciate the joke. The small kingdom lasted eight harvest seasons before plagues, invasions, and unnatural physical phenomena wiped it out. I mean, a tidal surge twenty feet high from a small lake? Locust swarms, six kinds of contagious and deadly diseases. I got the full displeasure treatment. A lot of those dimwits were clearly unhappy with my teachings. But it was fun while it lasted.”

“A reminder, Asag. Be what you appear to be – an ancient, formerly imprisoned warrior, though with magical abilities.”

“Will I get to fight as mortals do? Engage in battles and the like?”

“Of course. Try to blend in,” advised Tyler. “And no telling anybody that you’re a demon.”

“You make it sound if it’s such a bad thing. But battles, spells, death, and destruction! This really is turning out to be a good day after all. I hope we get to fight soon! I can’t wait to try out my definitely rusted abilities!”

Another Tyndur. But on a higher and more destructive level. Asag could probably level cities on his own. God have mercy on me.

“So! what are you going to do to Loki?” Tyler asked finally. “Get your level or power back, among other things?”

“I’ll wrest it from his dying carcass! But not before I give him the lovely treatment he gave me.”

“You do know deities don’t leave physical remains behind when they die? It goes back to the ether or the energy of the world they find themselves in,” Tyler told him.

“Of course, I know! I was speaking figuratively. For a human, I would have thought that a sense of the dramatic, gory and bloodthirsty it might be, would have made its impression on you.”

Finally, they could see the end of the hallway of stone. At the end of the corridor was a shining open exit, its edges glowing with Labiru’s power. Beyond it, Tyler could see the companions still searching the cave for clues about his disappearance. With a deep breath, he stepped over the threshold, followed by Asag. The first one to see the mage was Habrok.

“Hello, sorry to be a cause of worry. But I’m back,” said Tyler apologetically.

“Me too.” A deep and clearly exhilarated voice sounded from the mage’s back.

As the mage expected, a noisy welcome, peppered with questions, greeted him. He could sense the annoyance in a few of the queries, not that he could blame his companions. Tyler did notice that Kadir made a move towards him, obviously to satisfy his