Pharim War: Lightgiver Part 2

We created a place that would attract them and set powerful wards that would snap into place, but as you can see... She gestured to slivers of shadow spilling out. Its not perfect.

Jez nodded. How do I defend against them?

Remember who you are. The thoughts and feelings theyll use against you are real, and they may cause you a great deal of pain, but they are yours. They have only as much power as you allow them to. Youve gone through more than most, so that might give them more to use against you. Just be ready. Keep your mind on the information youre looking for. If you can keep ahold of yourself long enough, you may be able to draw it from them instead of the other way around, but dont hesitate to leave if you have to.

Jez nodded. Linala offered him her hand, and he took it. Together, they stepped into the room filled with living shadows.

CHAPTER FIVE.

Jez watched as his father walked away from the barons manor. Bartin didnt look back as he left the grounds. Beside Jez, Baron Dusan cleared his throat. Jez looked up at him, and Dusan gave him a toothy smile that sent chills down his spine. His steel gray eyes showed no emotion whatsoever. He looked evil, and Jez started looking for a place to hide.

Jez shook his head to clear his mind of the image. That hadnt been just his memory. They had added fear to it that hadnt been there before. He tried to keep ahold of himself like Linala had said, and he looked around.

He was in complete darkness, but somehow he could still make out vague forms. He looked over his shoulder. The door was a panel of light, though it seemed somehow restrained by the surrounding darkness. Linala, her form vague and indistinct, tugged at him, and they went deeper into the room. One of the shadows pa.s.sed through him, and he remembered a time, over a year ago, in Dusans summoning chamber. Jez had destroyed his protective runes, and the demon Marrowit, whom the baron had been trying to control, had consumed him as he came into the world. Because of Jezs actions, a person had died. The fact that it had been an evil man didnt matter. Jez had done it.

The sound of Linala gasping brought him back to the moment. He couldnt see her, and even the feel of her hand in his became a distant sensation. He called out to her, but she didnt respond. He squinted in her direction but could no longer see her through the darkness. He took a step toward her just as another shadow flew at him.

He was in Marrowits throne room, the one the demon had created in the dream world. The nightmare demon had tortured him with images of losing himself to the much more powerful consciousness of Luntayary. When that had nearly broken him, the images had shifted, showing Luntayary the memory of being bound to human flesh and of being forced to live a life as a mortal with no memory of who and what he was.

The shadows drew back so fast it was almost painful. Jez winced, and he and Linala, once again visible, exchanged glances. He heard whispers in his head. He couldnt make out the words, but he got the distinct impression of surprise. And of longing.

Lets go back, Linala said.

Why? Whats going on?

I dont know. Ive never seen them act like this.

They started moving toward the door, but theyd only gone a few steps when the shadows screamed. They rushed at Jez. Though seemingly insubstantial, they hit him with such a force as to pick him up off the ground. He flew through the air, his hand ripped from Linalas grasp, and slammed against a wall hard enough to drive the breath from his lungs. The shadows writhed against every inch of exposed skin as they burrowed into him. They swarmed on the memory of the nightmare Marrowit had given him. They focused on Luntayary.

With a horror, Jez realized what they were doing. Luntayary had existed since the formation of the universe, and he had been created explicitly to defend against evil. Hed seen things mortalkind couldnt begin to imagine. The pharims memories had been locked away in order to give Jez a semblance of a normal life, but these beings, through whatever method they used to find memories, called them forth, and they feasted.

Pain filled every fiber of his being. Andera, one of the greatest of the demons, focused its attention on him. Dozens of pharim, both Shadowguard and Shadeslayers, fought with sword and spear, with earth and fire. The terrors unleashed on them were so horrible that Jezs mind couldnt hold on to them, and they vanished from his memory the instant they had pa.s.sed, leaving his consciousness burned and writhing. Jez cried out as his mind buckled under the strain.

Let me.

The gentle voice washed away some of his pain. He was still in the midst of the battle with the demon, but it seemed far away. A strange invisible presence shielded him from the worst of the scene.

Who are you? he asked.

You know who I am.

Luntayary. I thought Sariel locked you away.

A blue-robed figure with wings and a crystal sword appeared between Jez and the battle. Soft blue eyes focused on Jez. Yes, but he bound this memory too. Let me guard you. Your kind cannot bear the weight of memories such as this.

But...

I will retreat again once the danger is pa.s.sed.

We need information.

I will get it if these creatures have it.

Jez hesitated. Beyond Luntayary, Andera morphed into something that hurt his mind to perceive. Jez nodded. Thank you.

Jez and Luntayary werent truly separate beings. Jezs personality had formed over nearly fourteen years while the memories of Luntayary had been locked away, but a life of fourteen years was as nothing when compared with eternity, and so the pharims consciousness always overwhelmed him when it manifested. It did something similar now, pushing the part of him that was Jez into the deepest reaches of his mind, leaving Jez with only a dim awareness of the shadow creatures raking through his mind. Even that wouldve brought tears to his eyes if Luntayary wasnt in control.

He had no concept of time as the visions pa.s.sed before him. Finally, he felt a quivering. Luntayary walked out of the room with Linala in tow. As they stepped outside, the shadows tried to follow, but Luntayary did something, and they squealed before retreating back into the chamber. As Luntayary promised, he retreated. Just before he vanished entirely, he said one more statement.

Enki. The one who can tell you how Sharim will escape is the spirit Enki.

CHAPTER SIX.

Luntayary had done something to the stone so that it emitted a faint white light, allowing Jez to see. Linala lay unconscious next to him. She seemed to have gone several shades paler, though in the faint light, he couldnt be sure. Her heartbeat was weak but steady. He knew he should get her to the healing house, but without being able to disable the wards, Jez was trapped until she woke, which took two hours. She had to lean on him as they walked, and she trembled with every step. Each ward took her several minutes to disarm, and it was well past sunset before they made it to the first floor of the spire. Osmund and Lina sat waiting when Jez pulled open the door.

We need to get her to the healing house, he said.

Osmund nodded and picked her up off the ground. She tried to argue, but eventually, she slumped against him. They drew stares almost immediately upon exiting the tower, and Jez was sure the news would race ahead of them. By the time they got to the healing house, Chancellor Balud was waiting for them. He instructed his students to take the knowledge master and place her in a private room. His eyes glowed orange briefly as she pa.s.sed, and he nodded. Then, he called Jez and his friends into the small office he maintained in the building. The walls of the room were crammed with books, most with t.i.tles Jez couldnt guess at how to p.r.o.nounce. The room had that same sterile smell as the rest of the sick house, and pictures that looked to be of the human body hung from the walls.

Balud closed the door and turned to them. Now, tell me what happened.

We went to the bottom of the tower. Jez glanced at his friends, but he only hesitated for a moment. The room with the shadows.

Baluds eyes widened slightly. I see. A moment.

He walked out of the office and spoke to an adjutant whod been walking past. Jez couldnt make out everything he said, but it sounded like instructions. When he was done, the chancellor came back inside and sat down.

Now that we know what happened to her, she should be fine by morning, but why would she take you there?

Jez told him about their attempt to summon a Lightgiver. Balud kept his face impa.s.sive as Jez related the details of the encounter. Afterward, the chancellor remained silent for a long time.

All of them? Balud asked. All the pharim have left?

Jez nodded. Except for a few Shadowguard watching over the greatest demons.

Then, you were right.

I wish I wasnt.

He stood up and paced, though in the small office, he could only take a half dozen steps before he had to turn and go in the other direction. Enki. I dont know the name. Do you know what this spirit is? Demon or pharim?

Jez shook his head. It could be something else entirely, for all I know.

What else is there? Lina asked.

A great deal, Im afraid, Balud said. Its not normally knowledge entrusted to adepts, but Jezreel is no normal adept, and I doubt he would keep these things from the two of you. Jez tried to look embarra.s.sed, but the chancellor waved him off. Given what the three of you have accomplished, Im not sure I can blame you, especially with whats at stake. In any case, theres little you can do until Linala wakes up.

We could search her library.

Ill get some of her students on it, but its nearly midnight, and as much as you seem to enjoy it, you wont gain anything by falling asleep in a book.

But...

Jezreel, you were right. Sharim can escape from the abyss. Were going to treat this matter seriously, and were going to keep you informed. Youve had too much success against this creature for us to do otherwise, but you cant do all the work yourself. Let others research Enki, at least for now. Get some rest. I have a feeling youll need it before the end.

Jez started to argue, but Osmund grabbed his arm and forced him to stand up. Jez glared at his friend, but Osmund ignored him.

Well see he gets some rest, chancellor.

Balud nodded and Osmund practically dragged Jez out with Lina following right behind. After a few seconds, Jez stopped resisting, but only because he didnt want to be embarra.s.sed by being forced through a sick house full of people. When theyd gone outside, Jez tore his hand away from his friend, and the three of them started for the spire.

All right. Fine. That was a good act, but whats the real plan?

Osmund raised an eyebrow. What do you mean?

I mean you pretended you were going to force me to sleep so the chancellor would leave us alone. What are we really doing?

Osmund grinned. What makes you think I was pretending?

CHAPTER SEVEN.

Luntayarys presence had protected Jez from the worst memories of the battle with the demon Andera, but even what little Jez had seen was enough to give him nightmares. He awoke screaming and in a cold sweat at least a dozen times in the night, and by the time the sun finally rose, he felt more tired than before hed gone to sleep. Even so, he rolled out of bed and headed toward the sick house to check on Master Linala. Lina and Osmund were already there. Jez almost griped at them for not coming to get him first, but he decided it wouldnt do any good.

The adepts of healing didnt want to let them in to see Linala, but when she realized they were there, she called them in. Mirso, a grim faced healer with the robes of a full mage, warned them not to tire her out. Linala lay in a bed under heavy blankets, awake though obviously tired. Her face had regained some of its color, and her eyes brightened when she saw Jez.

Im glad you made it out of there. Ive never seen them react that way. She took several deep breaths, and her eyes flickered to Osmund and Lina before returning to Jez. Did you learn anything?

Does the name Enki mean anything to you?

Enki. The name rings a bell. Linala closed her eyes for a second. The fragment of the Chronicles of Mage Sarose speak of Enki helping to plan a battle strategy.

Enki was a human then? Jez was a little taken aback, but Linala was already shaking her head.

It might not have been the same Enki, or maybe Sarose had spiritual allies. Its not unheard of in ancient times, but the single fragment is the only part of that work that has survived into the modern day. No one is even sure what battle its referring to. It might be completely unrelated.

Jez shrugged. Its a place to start.

Linala struggled to get up. Almost instantly, orange-robed students scurried in and began arguing with her. One girl even held her down. Linala scowled, but they ignored her. The unspoken rule of the sick house was that when one was in a bed, rank didnt matter, and the healers refused to let her rise. Finally, the master slumped back into bed.

Fine. Ill stay here, for now, but I need to speak to these three in private. The healers gave her uneasy looks, and she sighed. I give you my word I wont try to get up.

Mirso scrunched his brow but nodded after a few seconds, and everyone but Jez and his friends filed out. Linala waved a hand over them and mumbled a few words.

My students havent found anything in my main library. That incantation will let you into my secret one. Im going to tell you how to reach it, but that information is not to leave this room.

The three nodded, though Jez struggled not to smile. He and Osmund, with the aid of Master Besis, had broken into Linalas secret library over a year ago when theyd been seeking information on the demon lord Marrowit. Apparently, she had never learned of that, and she told them exactly where to find the hidden panel that would open to the stairway descending to the level under the summoners practice house.

With it being between terms, it wasnt difficult to get into the practice house without being seen. From there, they slipped into the secret library. Books and tablets lined the shelves and the place had the musty smell that seemed to be common to all libraries. Theyd been searching for a little over two hours with no luck when Linala came in. She still looked pale, and her movements were sluggish, but she insisted she was more than well enough to search. Even with her help, however, they found no reference to Enki aside from the single fragment of the ancient volume shed mentioned before. It was close to sunset when Linala frowned.

This isnt going to work. I hate to do it, but were just going to have to try to summon Enki.

Jez looked up from his scroll. But we dont even know what kind of being he is.

Its...possible to summon a being knowing only their name.

I hadnt heard that.

Thats because its extremely dangerous. I wouldnt even let high level adjutants attempt it. You cant set the proper protections, and having the wrong ones can be worse than no protection at all.

Are you sure its worth it? I mean those memory shadows might have been lying.

Im surprised to see you cautious now. Jez started to argue, but she waved him off. No, its a valid question, but the shadows dont lie. Theyre not capable of it.

Jez considered for a second before nodding. What do we do?

Ill prepare the summoning. You three go get Masters Fina and Besis. Tell them to bring a couple of adjutants they can trust. If Enki turns out to be hostile, we need to be able to deal with it.

CHAPTER EIGHT.