CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

THE JOURNEY OF DEATH

“Careful! Be careful, the bridge is old,” Shaphas warns holding on to the ropes on an old simple suspension bridge.

With every step they make, the bridge swings like a lily against the wind; they walk gently and delicately. There is no other way. Time left it in a shabby state. Decaying planks serve as windows to what lies below. Beckoning the eyes the look against better judgment.

Don’t look down!

High above a coursing river; the height and the bed of stones below leave it less than greeting. The experience can make even the bravest person waver. It does. Across the bridge lies an entrance to a cave, one of many in a garden of flowing waterfalls. Tall and mighty they gush clear water in a thunderous orchestra of nature; a testament to the wonder of nature. Once adorned by many, this sight of beauty is left desolate as this rose hides a dangerous thorn.

“The person who made this bridge needs to be hanged,” Tyr says as he holds on to the ropes.

“I was always curious about how do they make these sorts of bridges. Where do you even start?” Shaphas says as he balances behind Tyr.

“Get one person to cross to this side and throw him a rope. Maybe?” Tyr says as he looks down at the stones in the river.

“The distance seems too wide for someone to throw a rope. Even if it is the case, then what next. Would you tie...” Shaphas thinks out loud.

“Why are we even talking about this?” Tyr cuts him off.

“I believe it is better to talk about this than to think what would happen to us if we should fall,” Shaphas says as he looks down; Tyr also looks down.

Averting his gaze, he grunts. A point well made.

“My guess would be...” Tyr returns to their bridge construction conversation.

Up high in the sky, a white eagle flies. The bird of prey descents as it plummets toward the water; with a flash, it grabs a fish carrying away. Landing on a stone, ready to savor its well-earned prize. Looking up, its well-honed instincts come to life. Through a hollow cave in the darkness, the shadows move. It cannot see only hear heavy footsteps. The eagle flies away, leaving the fish behind.

“Who would have guessed crossing one simple bridge would turn out to be so... intense,” Shaphas says as he laughs while holding a hand on his chest. Trying to calm his heart.

“Aren’t you overreacting?” Tyr adds as he grips his sword.

“The fear of heights doesn’t help,” Shaphas adds as he smiles.

“Fear of heights? You didn’t show any fear while crossing it,” Tyr adds as he raises an eyebrow.

“Of course. What would Aion say if his chosen would cower in the face of such a paltry challenge?” Shaphas says as he rallies himself and heads into the entrance of the cave.

Tyr draws his white-bladed sword as a light encompasses its steel.

“Come now. We have a job to do,” Shaphas says as he continues.

Tyr closes his eyes for a moment.

Why am I risking my life? Is it for the so-called friendship; for that naive man? For revenge? What good is it anyway? The never-ending cycle of bloodshed that lasts until it leaves you in the blood. Memories swirl in his mind; images of blood. Amongst the chaos, few simple words are spoken.

"Do not hesitate!"

Tyr enters the cave.

Pillars of light pass through the cave's crevices reflecting a gentle azure upon the sleeping stones. Somewhere deep and hidden, unknown echoes sound.

“What is that sound?” Tyr asks, listening.

“Those sounds are from Adipetrania or singing stones as they are more commonly known,” Shaphas says as he gently smiles.

“Singing stones?” Tyr asks, trying to identify the source of the sound.

“They are stones that filter sound. I remember when I was young; the church of Aion had them. We frequently used them in ceremonies to enhance the mood. Though the sound they gave was different since there were no waterfalls at our church,” Shaphas says as he reminisces. He laughs.

“I’m glad you find it so amusing. When we find the monster, maybe you can tell it a joke or two,” Tyr snarls.

“I am all too well aware of what we must face. I shall not cower in the face of such a trivial adversary as my god is Aion. Through his fire, I shall purge this evil. You needn’t worry about my dedication,” Shaphas says as he readies his mace.

Through the lonely maze-like passages they walk; stone and blue are their only companions. Suddenly, it greets them- blood and death. In front of them lies a defiled body of a young woman.

She lies on the cold stone in a cloak of red.

“The beast killed her!” Shaphas says in anger.

“No!” Tyr adds as he examines the body.

“She cut her own throat. Look,” Tyr points at the clean-cut on her throat and a dagger lying on the side.

“The poor girl! Suicide is not permitted in the path of Aion,” Shaphas adds as he shakes his head in disapproval.

“Would you rather she endured all the horrors of the demon?” Tyr asks as raising his lip in contempt.

“I would endure all the horrors of this world in the name of Aion,” Shaphas says with conviction.

Tyr shakes his head; why do I even bother, he thinks?

“The blood shows the way,” Tyr says as he follows the crimson path.

Heavy steps in the dark. One by one. A scream in the night! Someone is crying. Tyr and Shaphas stealthily rush. They stand on high ground, concealed behind rocks. Bellow a wide hole with an opening where a waterfall flows. Inside the hole, a sight of terror like no other. The demon stands! Surrounded by bodies of dead young women; black eggs scattered around. There is one woman still alive, frozen by fear the only thing she can do is cry; her belly unusually large. The demon makes its way towards the ill-fated woman. It looms over her as she tries to move away, but she cannot; her legs are broken.

“She is still alive. We must save her,” Shaphas whispers.

“I don’t think we can save her,” Tyr says as looking at the scene.

“We have to try,” Shaphas adds as he is about to stand, a scream makes him stop amid his tracks.

The demon thrusts its arm inside the woman’s belly, breaking her flesh as it slowly removes something from it; a black egg!

The pain and suffering stop, as do the screams and crying. The sweet release of death.

Moving across the stage, the demon sets the egg amongst many others as one of them shakes; the fleshy exterior breaks as a small arm appears. Breaking out of the egg one struggle at the time a small creature surfaces. The offspring of the demon is born. Eyeless abomination made whole through flesh and blood of the innocent. The vitae of life flows through its dark scales christening it in the unholy. A fitting ritual.

“Your fire.” Tyr whispers as Shaphas looks at him, “How much of this can you burn?” Tyr asks as he grips his sword.

“If I use all of my liquids, I can set this whole part on fire. But there is water nearby, the creature will probably...” Shaphas explains as he gets cut off.

“I have a plan,” Tyr says as he whispers in Shaphas’es ear.

From the hidden spot, Tyr jumps down to the hole where the creature and its eggs are. It notices him as it turns to face him with murderous intent.

Tyr chants.

I am death; I am death incarnate.

The creature closes in as a flask flies in the air; hitting the monster it immolates it in blue fire.

Those who look at the eyes of death; shall know eternal darkness.

Shaphas rushes the creature as he hits it with all of his might once in the right leg and once in the left leg; making the creature stagger for a moment. He quickly drinks some liquid as he spits it out at the demon. The liquid turns to flame pouring fire on fire. The mouthless one turns as it faces Shaphas, a sword penetrates its skin from behind. With lightning speed, Tyr slashes the beast with a flurry of attacks while dodging the inflamed demon’s attacks.

Shaphas turns away as he heads to the eggs. Purifying them in the fire of Aion. The demon senses something; it senses pain for the first time as it turns back in a futile attempt of saving its eggs. Flailing its arms and trying to extinguish the flame. Yet, the eggs are fragile. They cannot survive the awkward inhuman might.

“Hey!” Tyr yells as he stands back at the high ground, near their hidden spot.

Shaphas holds the creature’s offspring; the small black demon child lies defenseless in their arms. Fidgeting around helplessly. Tyr superficially stabs the demon child as it screeches in pain. A mindless frenzy overcomes the bereaved parent; it rushes forth. Shaphas and Tyr run away as the demon chases them through the caves, all while leaving the blood of the child in their wake.

Escaping they get to the flimsy bridge at the entrance; with no time to lose, they transverse it with haste.

“Hurry,” Tyr yells.

Shaphas looks down as he musters his courage.

“Praise be Aion!” Shaphas yells as he runs on the swinging bridge still holding the demon’s offspring.

Without a moment of hesitation, the demon follows as it steps on the bridge it breaks- Shaphas barely crosses the bridge as the creature falls down from the height unto the stones. A bone-breaking sound is heard as blue blood flows from the still burning creature. The river extinguishes the flame as it carries the body of the monster away.

Tyr and Shaphas look at each other with relief.

“What now?” Shaphas asks as he looks at Tyr.

“I believe it is time for a small vacation,” Tyr says as exhausted he takes a deep breath.

“How about going to Union? I heard their nightlife is quite interesting,” Shaphas says as he avoids eye contact.

“You do not strike me as a person that does... nightlife,” Tyr skeptically adds.

“Everyone needs a break here and now. Even the follower of Aion. It is a weakness of the flesh,” Shaphas explains as he shrugs.

“Might as well. The city is not far,” Tyr adds as Shaphas smiles.

“What about this?” Shaphas asks holding the demon child.

Tyr, without hesitation, stabs it in the heart as it dies with one final tiny shriek.

Shaphas inspects the little dead creature as he throws it into the river without hesitation.

END OF ACT I