An angel’s road to hell

18. Of motives, maids and a little bit of mentorship

Cassandra Pendragon

“Quite astute. Yes, he was the merchant.” Mephisto seemed mildly impressed. “Did you also understand what I wanted to tell you?”

“I think so. He is the master of forbidden knowledge. Or should I rather say, things that can’t be known? Death already had an appointment with the servant but the servant wouldn’t have been there if he hadn’t met death in the market beforehand. I’m just wondering why the merchant sent him there. Didn’t he also just play a role in fate’s design? I mean, if the servant’s meeting with death in Samarra has been preordained, wouldn’t that make the merchant a facilitator of destiny and not the one who controlled it?”

“You are correct. Except the story isn’t about the servant. It’s about fate and what he can do with it. You see, Amazeroth was also the one who made the appointment in Samarra. That he was already part of the story makes his accomplishment all the more impressive. Now, this is a fairy tale but one that has been repeated in a million different versions throughout time. Even death can’t contend with someone who can read fate. And that’s what he does. He can use his transcendent energies to pierce the veil to the future and sometimes even influence it, at least to a certain degree. He is the one who makes premonitions and destiny more than an esoteric concept. Through his meddling he can create fixed points in the future that will happen, no matter what anyone does, because for him they already have happened and he knows why. He is maybe not the most powerful demon in existence, but he sure as hell is the most dangerous one. One you can’t afford to make an enemy out of. At least not yet.” He stopped there for a moment and continued in a much lower voice, almost as if he was talking to himself:

“I’ve always wondered if those wings of yours will someday allow you to pierce the veil as well.”

I didn’t know what to say. Mephisto made Amazeroth out to be neigh omniscient. That would mean everyone who came into his sphere of influence would be dancing to his tune. From what Mordred had told me, I had expected him to be bound to the emperor. For me it had sounded like an ancient wizard had found a way to bind a demon to do his bidding. Naive and sooner or later going to result in the destruction of the wizard in question but possible none the less. Considering what Mephisto had told me, I couldn’t believe in that fiction anymore. Amazeroth was probably pursuing his own design and the emperor was just a pawn. But what was his goal? I could understand the emperor’s motivation, in a round about sort of way. Basically he was trying to gather more power, a motive I didn’t agree with but could accept as inherently tied to social creatures. Ultimately we all strive to influence our world and power is the easiest means to achieve the change we desire. But Amazeroth had transcendent power and he sure as hell didn’t need dominance over a mortal empire. Why should he even be here? No to sound conceited, but right then I could only imagine that he was interested in me as well. I didn’t think our planet would hold a secret that could attract the interest of an immortal, but then again, I could be wrong. I just didn’t have enough information.

“Great,” I huffed, “what am I supposed to do now? Pray that his intentions are benevolent? Didn’t you basically just tell me it’s time to roll on my back and wait for the inevitable?” He got up and smacked the back of my head.

“Never that. But first I need you tell me in detail how you came into contact with him and what exactly happened in the last few days. The last time I visited Greta in her dreams was before your birthday and I can only guess from your measly insinuations what might have happened.” He sat back down on his chair and I didn’t hesitate to start talking. I went back further as I didn’t know what Greta had already told him about my encounter with the Furglows. I didn’t leave out a thing, I even added my suspicions and guesses to everything that had happened. He listened silently but when I had finally finished his first question took me by surprise: “you said your maid’s last name is Arete? Could you spell it out for me?”

“Seriously? That’s what you are asking about?” He nodded. “Fine, A R E T E. What does she have to do with anything?” With a grin he replied: “oh, nothing much, it only means Amazeroth has finally found the lost bloodline and it explains why he is here.” He shushed me with a gesture when I tried to interrupt. I couldn’t believe it! “Hold your tongue and let me explain. The name Arete isn’t a given name per se. It’s an ancient word that means perfection or rather striving for perfection. It’s a name or rather a purpose inherently bound to one blood line.” He collected himself for a second and continued in his story-teller voice: “at the dawn of live, us immortal were already there. We watched and sometimes we interfered, thinking we could do better than evolution. Mostly it resulted in disaster, we didn’t understand the laws nor the science that governs live and our creations usually led short and violent existences. There were exceptions, nine to be precise. Some of us meddled with the deepest laws of the multiverse, not changing bodies, the life force or even souls but rather forging a purpose, a reason to exist for nine creatures. They became powerful, growing ever closer to transcendence within their respective purpose. It was… troubling and glorious to watch the evolution of neigh perfect incarnations of abstract principles.” I could see him live through the memories, his face portrayed more emotions than it had ever before.

“To cut a long story short, in the end they went to war, they couldn’t coexist, bound as they were to a single idea. It was awe inspiring and terrible, but we didn’t intervene, it was their fight. After a clash that tore planets apart destroyed stars, only two remained standing, even their children and followers had perished. In a final struggle, the incarnation of justice slew ambition but succumbed to his wounds directly after. Silence finally returned.” Mephisto got up from his chair and tried to cross the room towards the window. After a step his body started to fade and he sat back down with a sigh.

“Most of us came to honour the end of an era. There would be no rebirth for the fallen, we had changed them too much, when they had died, they were gone. It was then that we realised we could only entomb eight corpses. The line of Arete was missing from the battlefields, their matriarch’s body nowhere to be found. They had disappeared and until now, I have never heard that name again.” I wanted to give him a minute, after all I knew very well how taxing it was to access those kinds of memories. And, honestly, I was shocked by what he had told me. But before I could open my mouth he continued:

“Before you argue, it can’t be a coincidence. Remember, the concept is tied to the family through inherent laws of the cosmos. Ideas matter, no one would even have the idea to name something other Arete. There can’t be another family named Arete but the descendants of the matriarch, not now, not ever. Moreover, I don’t know who created the incarnation of Arete. Some immortals bragged about their accomplishment but most kept it a secret. I won’t tell you what you did during that time, enough happened back then to trigger more memories and those could lead Amazeroth knows where.” So I really wouldn’t be getting any information about my past any time soon. Pity. “And I don’t know how and why your maid is what she is, but we, or rather you, should make it a priority to find out. Then you can maybe get to the bottom of this whole ordeal.” That was quite a lot to take in. I got up from the bed and sat down on the windowsill. I stared outside for a moment and tried to relax but it didn’t work. It was getting late and I would have go to dinner in about an hour. I still had to think about what I would tell my parents.

“We don’t have much time left, I’ll need to leave for dinner, soon. Important and scary as it is, it’s an advantage for now. I need to find out what the emperor and Amazeroth want and probably try to stop it. To get there I see three possibilities. If the second palace is connected with them, there is bound to be some information somewhere. I need to get in there and have a look around. Afterwards, I need to fight my exile and use the trial to convince the other royals of what has happened. This way we can alert everyone and simultaneously eradicate the emperor’s influence. And now I can also convince Ahri to tell me her full story. This should also get me somewhere. Did I forget something?”

“It depends on how calloused you are but you do realise that your plan will at the very least probably kill off the entire second family and that’s the best case scenario. More likely your walking directly into a trap. Didn’t you listen to my story? It’s the lord of mirrors you are dealing with! All your information is based on the testimony of your brother, who admitted to carrying a piece of Amazeroth around with him. What makes you think he didn’t lie to you, or that he even is still himself?” Oh wow, I was too young for this shit. A headache started forming beneath my temple.

“I trust Mordred and it wouldn’t matter either way. I still have to get into the palace and I have to take you with me in case I find something I don’t understand. I’ll just have to be extra careful and I won’t tell anyone about what I intent to do. Hmm, if she is better by then, maybe Ahri. But you are right, after Mordred’s stunt the second palace is probably constantly under some form of magical surveillance. If the emperor sees his plan failing, he’ll kill off everyone marked at the very least.” Now that I was aware of the possibility, I wasn’t going to allow that to happen under any circumstances but I didn’t want to argue about priorities with Mephisto, so I didn’t voice it out loud.

“Is there a possibility to ward off his magic, at least temporarily?”

“Depends on the amount and type of energy at his disposal. From what you told me, if it’s accurate, mind you, he is using sacrifices to power his spells. That means he has as much mana, life force and soul energy as he can press out of his victims. Usually I’d say there’s no way to best that unless you use the same measures. Keep in mind that shielding uses more energy than an attack of the same strength. But… you have yourself and Boseiju. If you were able to use at least your mana, you might ward him off. But you can’t so the only option would be if I tried to create an enchantment, similar to the one on your emblem, to channel some of your energies into a ward. I’m not going to do that. I worked ages on an enchantment to channel transcendent energies into a growing spell and I still wasn’t completely sure I’d get everything and you’d survive. I had intended to power it myself after all. I won’t even try to create a new one for wards.”He stared at me urgently: “That leaves you with Boseiju. If you access his energies through a rune or a spell, the tree should have enough life force to combat the sacrifices for a while. Honestly though, don’t expect it to survive, the soul energy will swiftly wear it down to dust. I can’t imagine you’d like that outcome, not to mention the other kitsune. Hell, I don’t even know if the magic keeping your island alive would survive.” I tried to massage my headache away. It didn’t work.

“Seems like a tomorrow problem, if I’m honest. Firstly I have to get Ahri to talk and then break into the second palace without anyone realising. Or vice versa, depending on when she wakes up. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Unfortunately I would. I still think it likely that you’ll fall into a trap or just return empty handed but it should be worth the risk if your talk with your maid doesn’t yield results. Talk to her first, though. It won’t matter if you have to wait another day and maybe you can find a better way.” It made sense, even though it rhymed, so I nodded. With a glance towards the sinking sun I said:

“Before I leave I have two more questions: how did you end up with Greta and with a letter from Aurora? And can you help me apply a dimensional stamp?”

“It was part of the enchantment I used to follow you. The emblem along with the letter, Aurora gave it to me, but that’s all I’m going to tell you, appeared within the highest density of energy in your proximity. To my eternal regret it was right in the cave of the old bat underneath Boseiju’s roots. I’m not going to go into details but trust me, you have been seeing her kind and gentle side.” He wrung his hands. “She can be quite the demon, that one.” That made me smile. At least I wasn’t the only one who had had some shitty days under the earth. He sputtered:

“That’s not funny in the least! I hoped for some understanding as you had to share a small part of my plight.” I was laughing openly now: “that’s just it. Imagining Greta’s tender care and stubbornness in a dream world seems frightening. I’m just glad I didn’t have the honour yet.” “Well, who knows what the future holds,” he mumbled darkly, “but to answer your second question, of course I can help you. We can even do it now, it shouldn’t take longer than a couple of minutes. We won’t prepare a permanent focus from your blood, a temporary connection will do. It’s unwise to have too many about, anyway.” I was all for it, the sooner I could hide away some useful items, the better I’d feel. And since I was about to leave for dinner, where we usually had delicious pastry as desert, the timing couldn’t have been better.

“Thanks, that’d be perfect! What do I have to do?” I hopped down from the sill and approached him.

“Not much, actually. I’ll draw the additional runes with your blood onto the steal and then you use it. Simple as that. It doesn’t make much sense to try and teach you how to do it yourself. You’re lacking too many basic skills and too much knowledge.” He gave me a sinister grin and his nighty turned into his scholarly robe. “You just have to trust the friendly old demon in your room.” I quoted dryly: “without malicious intent... that ship has sailed, my intimidating friend. Don’t worry, I still think you are scary.” I added with a smirk while I patted his back. He harrumphed and asked me to draw some blood into a bowl. I didn’t have a syringe, which he commented with “amateurish”, so I simply pricked my thump with a hairpin and squeezed out some blood. Mephisto conjured a reddish threat of energy from thin air which coagulated into a long and spindly feather with a tiny tip. He used it to scoop up some of the liquid to add tiny runes all over the steal. The whole process took about five minutes and I could hear him mutter appreciatively the whole time: “delicately executed… oh, infinite matrices for time dilation, impressive… hmm, warding sigils?… ah, the designation cluster… and now I only need…” with a flourish he added a last rune on the bottom. “All done, you can use it whenever you want. I’d advise a little caution though. During the binding some minuscule amount of your mana might get coaxed out and because it contains your transcendent energy it might hurt. A lot. Maybe you should wait and apply it before you turn in tonight?” He was undoubtedly right, but I wasn’t going to have to look forward to some serious pain for the whole evening, better to get it over with as fast as possible.