The Wielder of Death Magic

“No, what happened?”

“A gang was exterminated from the face of the planet.”

“Common occurrence. Social media held the subject in high regard. Dude, it’s whatever, people die every day.”

“Don’t speak loudly.” Public transport to private cars, the incident traveled around Odgawoan. Most specifically, the current alliance of gangs. Split into two factions, Families and Gangs, each held their own. An agreement was signed many years ago by the founding members. A promise which eventually halted the massacre in said neighborhood.

“Brother, we can’t let them walk over us like that,” said a muffled voice.

“I know,” replied the stronger man, “-one of our gangs was wiped out mercilessly. The news says the incident is a result of violence between our members.”

.....

“The families don’t know nothing.”

“Not much we can do at the moment. Have a team investigate these two,” Kul and Asmo’s picture flung across the table.

20th of September, preparation for the motel’s opening concluded. Aceline and Igna were held by matters of entertainment. After the record-breaking purchase of 240 million, many shady individuals were suddenly attracted to his wares. Needless to say, the popularity boost gained favors with Ansoft.

“Kul,” yawned Asmo, “-are we done yet?” he leaned against a tilted mop.

“Don’t start whining,” retorted she. A stuffy scarf hid her fiercely shaped lips. The day kept on high, passersby went around the fountain. Nothing speaks of the district’s underworld at said time of day. On the contrary, the cleaning pair were viewed as humble workers. Overgrown trees and grass were trimmed to a pleasant level. Seven million was worth the price. A glance at the back showed the potential to a grand manor or apartment.

After the front gate(a relic gathering of iron bars) came the broken stone brick path. A few alterations brought out the ‘vintage’. Immediately after a few steps came to a dark-wooden double door. Here, the path diffused into a blocky layout. The front desk, small space of only a counter and a few seats, swapped into a smaller counter and empty waiting area. Previous wallpapers were ripped and replaced by a darker-themed esthetic. Following from the counter to the right came a large room readied with drinks and a bar. The barman(a puppet from Igna’s collection) stood and watched. Aside from the blackout windows and heavy curtains, nothing went amiss for these types of establishments. Back from whence it began, a narrow doorway led into a long corridor of many doors. At the end rested the vague outline of a darkened stairway. Doors were but led to a larger room. The vileness of before evolved to a somewhat decent gambling house equipped with tables for blackjack, poker, roulette, and many others. Instead of puppets, the dealers were demons under the direct command of Asmodeus. The prince of gambling flung his weight without restraint. After a harsh night of playing games and winning bets, the clients surely wanted to let off some steam. Tis when Asmodeus’s frightening set of powers comes into play. A single step up the stairs triggers one’s libido, a sweet fragrance of perfume and pinky mist swept the mind into climbing to the heavens. There, sexual deviants prowled the corridors, demons and demoness waited with sensual glances at their prey.

A casual promenade along the outside showed but a normal building. Trees and tall hedges hid the windows. Trust is fundamental for their trade, the massive plot of land didn’t only serve for expansion purposes, no. Rather, Kul’s forward approach solicited an empty plot. Accidents might result in deaths, or, a beating. No better place than there. Come night, the Raven’s venture into Odgawoan’s underworld would begin.

*Good morning people of Odgawoan, I’m your host Misty, from the Morning Fall Show. Shout out to those tuning into the live broadcast over at Lokka, look, I can wave at you, ha-ha. Many news outlets are talking about the potential of increasing gang violence, I say, forget it. Many avid listeners know of Ansoft’s sudden downfall. The mighty strong agency fell to the pressure of their idols and unsatisfied staff. I can say what I want because I’m a member of Golden Dawn. Anyway, the folks over at Ansoft have decided to pull in and host the annual Musical festival at the park. Not the one in Fulha’s district but the central part to the north. Seems to have been a spur-of-the-moment decision. In any case, the date is set for the 30th of September, the performers will be announced later today.*

“Hear that?” a cup raised to the flat-screen, “-we’re going to have a blast,” steam off the drink faded with a gentle blow.

“Yes, I see that,” said Igna, “-why are you here again?” a very headstrong Draconis wrapped around the shoulders and pulled.

“Seems fitting to discuss the event with you,” he said, “-it’s partly my fault the modeling gig isn’t going well.”

“Don’t worry about that,” he shrugged, “-I found a lucrative side-project.”

“Is that why I see so many covered paintings layered around the room?”

“Yeah,” the gaze turned distant, ‘-how can I tell him the painter is a goddess?’ the mere thought quavered the stomach, ‘-didn’t expect Goddess Athena’s casual visit into the shadow realm. She’s apparently good friends with Goddess Nike and best friend to Gophy.’

“Are you well?” inquired a worried Amsey.

“I’m fine, there’s no cause for concern. Tis just flashbacks of a nightmare I had. No matter, those paintings aren’t for sale, not just yet.”

“You started a personal gallery?”

“Yes,” said he, “-a quarter of a billion is a lot of money.”

“I know, it’s more than a fortune.” Then again, the buyer wasn’t a normal human. A deeper dive into why Syhton requested an audience showed signs of her existence as a personage of great influence. Her fortune counts amongst the top-ranked in the world, religion is a profitable business, said she.

“Shall we talk about the visit?”

“Fine,” sipped Amsey, “-Misty said it clearly. Ansoft is hosting a festival to bring over fans and idols. The gap between is growing bigger, Golden Dawn has surpassed our ratings. Tis very hard to grip once a person falls.”

“Apexi,” mumbled Igna. The energetic Draconis fled for the gaming room, “-you want me to get support from Phantom’s agency.”

“Yes,” he gulped, “-not for free, obviously, we’re willing to pay and fly the artists over. ”

“The urgency is understandable, however, that side of thing is for my aunt and cousin to decide,” without reservations, “-there’s the contact information.” Humbled to a shell of his former self, Amsey returned for further negotiations.

‘Aceline and I are working on a song. We need to create a band. A flashy start at the festival seems perfect... I doubt the simplicity. I’d rather follow on and have a small number of fans. The ultimate goal is to infiltrate the world of glitz and glamour.’

*Floup,* a blink and the purple sky of Totrya loomed on ahead. “King of monsters,” said Vesper, “-I apologize for the sudden abduction.”

“I do hope all is well?”

“No, actually,” she swipe-summoned various portals, “-here’s the issue. The world break spell was cast in many dimensions to increase the growth of our people. Lord Scifer had a great idea. Sadly, what we face is dire,” one of the gateways enlarged, “-one of our conquered realms has been placed in jeopardy. Gods of their world have summoned heroes and spirited away souls from stronger dimensions to act as their guillotine, our people are being slain and exploited for money. Please, majesty, will thee help us in our quest?”

“How long will it take...” he asked.

“Times flows faster in the endangered world. Please, go to their aid, they need their king to protect the last bastion.”

“Very well,” he said.

Multi-dimensions are present, Scifer’s slaughter and conquest of other worlds were of epic proportions. Similarly, hidden inside the Curely’s dimension, a magicless middle-aged world crumbles by the resounding sound of a hammer. “BURN THE APOSTATE,” echoed about. A snowy landscape of water and cold spans across. Stone-bricked bridges lay covered by the mess of fighters in leather armor.

“The land across the sea must be purified,” screamed a man wearing a bear’s pelt, “-we’ve crossed to vanquish the devil’s tyranny,” motivated by the war cry. Expressionless faces assaulted the castle doors with logs. Boiling oil poured off the castle walls, arrows rained to no avail.

“MORE SHIPS ACROSS THE SEA,” screamed a watcher. Elven ears shook by the sound of drums, “-notify the master, our domain has been breached.”

“You’re not notifying anyone,” a flash of lightning shook the wall, “-for I am Thor, Son of Odin,” an effortless swing splattered brain matter across the cold battlements. The tank of a man leaped into a horde of hobgoblins, “-damned creatures of the devil,” he hailed to summon lightning, a thunderstorm cackled the vicinity. Support of the neighboring nations arrived in stride. Aboard each ship stood a party of highly-skilled heroes abled to conjure magic. Their boon of boosted individual enhancement carried weight across the unified kingdom of Nelfhao.

“Hear me, my people,” proclaimed the emperor, “-on this blessed day, I, Emperor Hao, blessed by the gods, proclaim mankind’s victory in our crusade against the vile demons.” Devotees knelt in unison, the vibrant sun warmed the land, a good omen for years of oppression and constant struggle.

“My lord,” the warmth swapped for the decrepit scape of frigid empty box of stone, “-Thor has laid siege, the unified nations are moving their forces against us. The monsters have lost,” *BANG,* a charged hammer blasted the walls, five teams of five rushed into the throne room.

“You shall pay for thine sin,” said Thor, “-I’ve come to aid the heroes in their quest to purify the land.” Clad in exquisite and expensive armor, “-long have the people suffered,” said a knight, “-we must uphold our duty as heroes from another world.” They inched closer; ‘-I was summoned here for the sole purpose of killing monsters. My old life had nothing of value, I didn’t care. But here, the people venerate me, I can use fire-magic, the strongest in the world. I don’t ever want to leave this place, which is why, for the sake of my lover, I’ll return a winner. Everyone, no matter the kingdom, will fight for the sake of freedom.’

“Give it up, Demonlord,” said Thor, “-kneel before us and apologize for the years of abuse.”

“Don’t be smug,” said the seated man, “-demi-god or not, you haven’t the right to address I, lord of the castle, in such a manner,” *clap,* chained up maidens of the realm were thrown into the center. Disfigured expression, untreated wounds festered maggots. Vomit remains stained their clothes, “-HOW DARE YOU!” fired the heroes.

“Why he asks,” mocked the Lord, “-when monsters are slain and tortured, does it not solicit a response from thine heartless soul. Monsters have feelings, and we work towards one purpose, to become strong.”

“Stop with the chatting!” cried Thor, “-we have reclaimed the Cohe island. Without a place to hide or escape, what is there left?” butchered body of monsters flung to the front, “-tis the end, vile invaders, we shan’t stand for the cruelty any longer.”

“Heroes,” said Thor, “-ready your weapons!”

“My lord,” begged the attendant, “-let’s retreat, the castle is lost. The death of a demon-general isn’t worthy of such a tainted battlefield.”

“Listen to me,” he grasped the throne, “-the fortune is those who can choose where they die. I’ve sadly outlived my stay. The people were stronger, we must accept and face death.”

“Well said,” a pulse of energy shook the room. Black smoke-shrouded red carpet, “-how goes it, heroes of other worlds,” an ominous presence loomed.

“Who are you?” fired Thor.

“Death,” he smirked and glared.

“DAMNED PEST,” Mjolnir darted with an inhumane throw, blink and the projectile vanished.