SANYHAḤMĀN traveled through the underground paths, faintly lit by torches along the wall. He covered his face with his hand as the putrid air effused from the muck piled on the lower floor. He wondered to himself how anyone could travel such paths. He could barely keep attentive. As he traveled, he caught the scent of incense and followed after it, making his way far and deep through many twists and turns of the stone corridors until he came across a large expansive hall.
The smell was gone, and the passage looked to go on forever. He spent much time in that darkness, not knowing how much of it had passed. Then footsteps could be heard, and he sought to hide, but there was no place to do so. He bore his staff and stood still, waiting for whoever approached. Out of the darkness, he saw twenty priests and priestesses wielding crossbows. But something was amiss about them. He peered closely and saw traces of an elemental shroud that encased the bolts. This alarmed him, for he had never known the Servants to be able to use their powers for offense, almost as if they had been barred from it. Perhaps these were an exception, but for so many to be attuned to gather in one spot and that they too be Servants, was more than unbelievable to him.
The group quickly surrounded him. One of the priests stepped forward and said, “For what purpose have you come, Vachūṇaṃār?”
Sanyhaḥmān remained silent and bore his teeth. He placed himself in the center as the priests and priestesses slowly moved closer.
“Do not resist! There is no place for you to run either forward or back. It would be in your best interest to answer us.”
He then said, “I don’t fancy being in such situations. And though I also don’t like comparing myself to animals, we, like our lesser brothers, do tend to bite back hard in dire straits.”
Using the force of his tail, he sprang himself high and thereafter dived toward the surface with immense force. The ground ruptured, and fierce winds sent the priests and priestesses flying toward the walls. Sanyhaḥmān ran farther into the abyss before they had a chance to recover.
The group quickly gave chase and launched a series of bolts that burst in midair. Some dispensed flames, others great winds and torrents of water, and the ones that stuck into the ground forced great crags to unearth before him. With the fury of the elements behind, he quickened his pace and eventually came across a split in the road.
He took a series of rocks in his hand and batted them with his staff to the left side while running down the right passage. The footsteps and sound of flying bolts softened, and when he could hear them no more, he took rest.
He let out a deep sigh and listened to the drips of water falling from the ceiling, and felt the light breeze that flowed in the passage, though he could not see or sense an opening. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and gave a soft laugh, finding his own predicament humorous. He took out a jug from his sack and popped off the cork, chugging down its contents. He released a hot breath and fell into a slumber.
After a few hours passed, he awoke and looked about him. There was no sign of the pursuers or any other suspicious individuals, so he took up his things and continued along the passage. Torches could soon be seen, and the spacing between them on either end grew farther and farther as he pressed through. And eventually, he reached a cave with three entrances filled with glowing crystals. He observed them, and beholding their beauty, sought to take some for himself. He struck his staff with great strength against the crystals, but no matter how hard or how fast he struck them, they would not break from their hold.
Then he heard footsteps coming from the left entrance, and he quickly moved to the center of the space. The footsteps drew closer, and the voices audible, and as he could discern their quality, he loosened his grip and stood at ease with a smile on his face.
Feyūnhaḥ, Nakthaḥm, and Tūmbṃār ran down the long series of steps and though they tried to be careful with their footing, there was little that could be done in pitch darkness. They had spent hours traveling through a series of passages, with much all about them.
Unlike for Sanyhaḥmān, it was not until they reached the long series of steps that the rancid odor dissipated. But as they were about to reach the bottom of the steps the boy tripped over one of them and he rolled into the demon and the princess. The three tumbled down the rest of the steps and landed in front of the monkey-man. There was a large grin over his face, and the boy atop Nakthaḥm and Feyūnhaḥ jumped off in delight.
“This is where you were! Looks like you were right, Feyūnhaḥ.”
She looked at him with a glare, and Tūmbṃār quickly turned his face away. The demon and princess brought themselves up and dusted their clothes.
“Couldn’t you have found us first before entering the passage?” asked the princess, visibly annoyed. Sanyhaḥmān held his tongue out, embarrassed, and scratched his head. She handed him the notes and said, “We’ve found some interesting and possibly dangerous information about what’s happening here.”
As he cycled through the notes, he said, “There was a hidden passage in the high priest’s quarters that led right under the city. Though I was a little hasty, I knew then that there was something amiss. Just a few hours before, I was attacked by priests and priestesses, wielding crossbows with power-infused bolts. It would seem there are more attuned individuals than I initially suspected.” He handed back the notes to Feyūnhaḥ and continued, “Now having seen this, I have an idea of what it is they could be up to.” He looked to Nakthaḥm, saying, “Tell me demon, are you familiar with summoning from the Lower Realms?”
This question caught Nakthaḥm off-guard, and he gave a surprised look. “Ho! There are people even in the Midworld that still know about it.”
He bent down to the floor, and using his nail, carved concentric circles and the symbols of the Demons in it. Standing up, he looked at the boy and princess, who were confused.
“Since the departure of my kin from this realm during the period of Foundation, many kingdoms had vested interest in using their power for securing land for themselves. These kingdoms made pacts with certain members of my kind to be able to summon them here with the condition that after they had dispensed their task, they would be set free to do as they wished. The demons that currently reside in Ārhmanhaḥ are the products of such rituals. Yet, I had thought that such a thing was a lost practice, so I dismissed the thought after reading these notes. To put it simply, it looks like these priest and priestesses are trying to summon a demon and perhaps even a powerful one, given the number of individuals who have been kidnapped.
“Those Servants whom you say had ‘power-infused bolts’, were likely the result of related experiments. Their lives shall have been cut short from such a procedure, in exchange for that great power.”
The two were horrified. “Is what Nakthaḥm says true, Sanyhaḥmān?”
“Quite, but this is just a hunch of mine; I can’t say for sure if they’re truly trying to summon a demon, but it saddens me to hear about the Servants. If only they knew better,” he said with a sigh. “In any case, we should make haste.”
But before they could do so, there were two passages to consider – the front and right. The boy immediately started running forward but he was once again grabbed by the neck of his shirt by Feyūnhaḥ.
“What’s wrong now? Shouldn’t we hurry?”
“You never seem to think before moving. How do you know this is the right way to go? None of us can sense anything different between the passages.”
The boy was surprised and pointed toward the front passage. “Do you guys not see the space acting weirdly up there?”
The three of them gave a confused look and peered into the front passage. After a few moments, they indeed sensed something amiss and could see the space warping ever so slightly.
Nakthaḥm laughed and patted the boy. “Never do you cease to amaze, child! There may even come a time when you shall surpass me.”
“Of course I will! Don’t think little of me.”
Feyūnhaḥ let go of Tūmbṃār and they made their way through the front-most passage.
It stretched long, and the darkness enveloped all in sight. The group ran forward, picking up speed with each step, but no matter how far they crossed, the exit never seemed to come in sight. Nakthaḥm then stopped, and he called to the others to halt.
“What’s the matter, Nakthaḥm?” asked Feyūnhaḥ.
He looked around himself and said, “It would seem that this space is endless. We should have indeed reached the exit by now. Would any of you happen to know how to dispel this illusion?” No response was given. “Well, perhaps there is another way through this maze.”
The others looked around themselves though they still could not make out anything within the darkness. Nakthaḥm walked toward the side and moved his hand along the wall. He continued to walk along for a few paces until he could feel an indented lining. He trailed his fingers along it and found that it too curved in a similar path to the entrance lining in the alleyway. When he reached the center-most point, he felt the wall vanish and saw a faint light gleaming around the corner. He called for the others, and they made their way through the path.
On exiting, they stood in a large domed area. In the center was a circle of thirty-three individuals with a stream of light emanating from their bodies and collecting in the center. The priests and priestesses channeled their power into the individuals as a lone priest near the center was chanting. All around them stood pillars shining and illuminating the edges of the space. The lone priest noticed the group standing toward the entrance and approached them.
“I see you have made it just in time for the end of the ritual. It would have been much better had the others captured you all beforehand. I can sense the energy that emanates within you all to be very much potent. Yes, perhaps there is still enough time for you to enter into the circle. Some of the captives are already on their last legs; with just a little more drained out of them, they will surely perish.”
Feyūnhaḥ charged forward and grabbed him by the top of his robes. His face was wrinkled and spotted, but he held a large grin. “Have you no shame? You not only cast aside your mask that all the Servants are to wear but you also perform this detestable ritual. End this at once!”
“Ah! I see you are an Autirsāh! It has been some time since I have seen your like. But as to your demand, I cannot concede. The end of this ritual will surely do us much good!”
Nakthaḥm put his hand on Feyūnhaḥ’s shoulder. “Allow me to handle this, princess.”
She let go of him, and the towering demon stood before the stout man. “Can I presume that you are the high priest?”
The man was a little confused as he beheld Nakthaḥm’s stature. “Why yes! But you seem rather odd. You look human, and yet your qualities would suggest otherwise.”
Nakthaḥm smiled and held his hands out before the man. He slowly elongated his nails and let a little of his power leak through under his shirt into his palms.
The priest’s eyes widened, and he at once prostrated before him. “You! You are a demon of the Lower Realms! What an honor it is to stand in your presence. For what purpose has one such as yourself come here? Do you happen to know what it is we are doing?”
“I had an idea, but seeing this for myself has confirmed my suspicions. You, high priest, are trying to summon one of my kin, is it not true?”
He clasped Nakthaḥm’s feet and put his head to them. “Yes! As you say, it is true!”
Nakthaḥm bent before him and with a gentle voice asked, “Would you tell me which of my kin it is that you have decided to contract?”
The priest stood up and stepped back with delight in his voice. “Certainly! He is known as one of the nine guardians, said to watch over the Sea of Lamentations: Druhastuṃār!”
Nakthaḥm was quite surprised to hear that name and gave a great laugh.
“What’s so humorous, my lord?” asked the priest, confused.
Nakthaḥm ignored the question and turned to his friends who were as much confused and said, “My friends, would you allow this man to continue with the ritual? There is something I wish to discuss with this particular one he is planning to summon. But be not alarmed, I have no intention of betraying you or letting any of these captives perish.”
Sanyhaḥmān and Tūmbṃār were shocked but Feyūnhaḥ seethed with rage.
“What do you mean to ‘discuss with him’, Nakthaḥm?” shouted the princess as she grabbed onto his shirt. “Though we have trusted you this long, due to the actions of Tūmbṃār and Iḷēhaḥ, don’t think it means we aren’t still hesitant as to your position! What guarantee can you give to assure no one shall be harmed?”
“None, but I do think it shall be in our favor for me to discuss with him. This being he speaks of has his allegiance solely in the Lord Daryurhaḥ. Do not think him to be any ordinary demon; his temperance exceeds my own, and his will is bound by Khāryaḥ. I will tell you what I know in regard to the Lower Realms after I have conversed with him. I too must know the situation first before speaking of it at length.”
Feyūnhaḥ loosened her grip and stood back with a solemn face. Sanyhaḥmān, however, was confused over all this, not knowing yet the extent of their mission.
“You’re not lying, are you?” asked the boy with a glint of suspicion. He held the words of the being of deathly face close and though he had trusted Nakthaḥm all this while, he was unsure of his intentions here.
Nakthaḥm bent before him and said, “Tell me, child, what is it that I can do with the shackles that have bound me? My powers have been sealed, and no more can I access my proper form. You and the maiden are my masters; there is little I can do of my own accord unless you were to break that which binds me.” He then stood and looked right down at Tūmbṃār, and held a menacing smile. “Will you break these shackles, Tūmbṃār?”
The boy slowly shook his head, and the demon laughed. “And there you have it, child!”
Tūmbṃār’s question still went unanswered, and he wished to know more about Iḷēhaḥ, but Nakthaḥm quickly turned around and noticed the shocked face of the high priest.
“What is this nonsense that you speak of?” demanded the high priest. “You mean to say you are held by chains to – to this boy?”
Nakthaḥm nodded and approached him. “So, will you do as I have said?” he inquired, bringing his face close. The high priest stepped back and signaled the others to stop. The streams of light vanished, and the bound individuals collapsed to the floor.
“I have no more reason to listen to you, but I shall take you up on your request. It would work out much better for me were none of the captives to perish.” He then held his arm out toward the circle. “Step in when you are ready.”
He then faced the group, saying, “I assume you have come for these captives? Take them with you. I have no more need for them now that the demon shall soon be summoned. You will all likely perish when he comes. I much doubt this shell of a demon can stop him either.”
Feyūnhaḥ, Sanyhaḥmān, and Tūmbṃār were visibly angered. The boy wanted to rush forward and beat him, but the princess grabbed him by the arm and shook her head. The three of them then carried each person toward the entrance.
Tūmbṃār then saw a girl dressed in beautiful robes with a similar scarf to Iḷēhaḥ’s. Her hair was a rich black, but her face very pale as if death were to approach her. Though her likeness bore some resemblance to the maiden, he silenced the thought and carried her gently to the side.
When all the captives were moved out of the circle, Nakthaḥm stepped into the center, near the ball of energy that floated above. He put his hand upon it, and a visible stream of power surged from his arm in great force. The red and black hues coalesced with the blue and white, causing the ball to expand. Moving into the floor, it stretched toward the edges of the circle, turning into a dark lotus of a thousand petals, and suddenly burst into a great pillar of darkness that hit the high ceiling.
The darkness expanded in all directions, and then was gone. The circle began to glow, and a reddish-black hole was set beneath it. The contents swirled within, and it rippled and waved much like a pond. From out of the hole emerged a being clad in gnarled black and gray armor. Holding two great swords pointed toward the ground, it looked about its surroundings and down toward Nakthaḥm. It towered above all at nearly thirty feet, and though through its helmet its ghastly teeth could be seen, it held a regal aura and displayed resolute composure like that of a soldier.
It bent toward Nakthaḥm and spoke in strange words:
Úá Markan Irritupilu Malkuvaršarrim Irkallam
Ñín añókka šišt’kattum
Šá ñín aštrúm zirg
None of what it said could be understood by the others, the form of its tongue altogether foreign, yet like Ahasṭṛṭhaḥr seemed ancient. Nakthaḥm then spoke:
Úá Avaršun’šhiñar g̃alp̃atu tamktal á dimñirum
Ñín zañke namil šišt’kattum má zagmitriyar zañke zirg
Ñín zañke chantequabura šu šurai zañke rikištura ma zañke ñínula namiltel
And the being looked behind Nakthaḥm at the priest who stood gleeful and mad, before then turning back to Nakthaḥm:
Ñín rikištura allunkašhinma utšukeryamunb
Rikištu šurai bakrug irukkalrag má namilvittiyarb
Má ñínnamilašlrtum má úá Malkuvaršarrim zañkena warzi šigl
Like this, the conversation continued on for some time and all looked intent to them, hoping for a favorable response. When they had finished speaking, Nakthaḥm gave a prayer in Ahasṭṛṭhaḥr:
Vimadhaḥṃ Ishvhaḥṃ Ishvārhaḥṃ!
Svarh-diyathvahm prakṣhauriti!
Dukhram vrahbt-ñyka vradzhayahm!
The All, the Highest, and That Most Respected!
Look upon us with favor, lead us past evil (into your domain)!
Humbly do we submit (to you), as siblings, children, and vassals!
ĀḤṂ, ĀḤṂ, ĀḤṂ
The being moved to the side, and Nakthaḥm faced the priest. His aura grew bold, and the menace about him only strengthened. “Since it is you who have summoned my kin, what is it you wish to do with him?”
A cold shiver ran down the high priest’s back, but he quickly regained composure and scoffed, “Do not think that I shall be afeared of such malice. Regardless of what you spoke to him, your power certainly cannot match his!”
He moved his hand up, and the priests and priestesses bore their crossbows. He then shouted to the being, “Demon, Druhastuṃār! Deal with these wretches, send them to the bottom-most depths of the Hells, from where they may never see the light!”
Druhastuṃār stood upright and lifted his two great swords. Tūmbṃār, Feyūnhaḥ, and Sanyhaḥmān ran to Nakthaḥm’s side and bore their weapons. Nakthaḥm remained calm and extended his nails. The two swords came crashing down with great speed, but stopped mid-flight. Nakthaḥm stopped them with his nails set directly underneath the blades. A great gust then flew to the sides, and Nakthaḥm shouted, “Quickly, friends! Stop the Servants!”
The boy, princess, and monkey-man engaged the priests and priestesses. Issuing great flames, Tūmbṃār and Feyūnhaḥ cindered the crossbows as Sanyhaḥmān burst through them to knock back the foes. When all the priests and priestesses were incapacitated, the three of them circled the high priest.
His face contorted from rage, and he yelled, “Demon! Stop them at once!”
Druhastuṃār drew back his swords and swung them in a great arc behind him. Though it did not touch the others, the force behind the swing brought forth a great gust that blew them back to the walls.
Now it was quite clear they were at a disadvantage, for the foe ran to them with great speed before they could recover. But when he had reached them to land the finishing blow, he stopped.
He turned behind and saw that Nakthaḥm had outpaced him, having taken his master hostage. Nakthaḥm’s nail was set right at the high priest’s temple, and a trickle of blood flowed down his frightened face.
“I think it is time for you to put an end to this madness. If you do not command him to stop, then your life shall be mine, and I promise that the time you should spend in the Hells will be more than horrific,” said Nakthaḥm, sliding his nail gently along his face. “It would be quite my displeasure to have to end your life now, for we much need information on the maiden and I assume you have conversed with her.”
“Stop, Druhastuṃār! Put down your arms! I shall not have my life ended now!” squealed the priest.
Druhastuṃār dropped his arms and sat beside the wall in a cross-legged fashion. The boy laughed at the towering demon, finding the way he sat humorous. But he soon found himself drowsy and then fell unconscious. Feyūnhaḥ quickly went to Tūmbṃār, yet sighed in relief from seeing his sleeping face.
“I have done as you asked, demon! Now let me go!”
But Nakthaḥm was not satisfied with just that. “You very well know what it is that I wish. Come! Do what you must, or surely this nail will find its way deep inside the recesses of your skull.”
The priest squealed again, but hesitated. He certainly did not wish to let go of the demon that he had spent so long summoning, but there was little that could be done in his situation. Perhaps if he were to live, he could try another time, though even that seemed unlikely given where he would end up after this. The priest held his left hand out as he wept, and light emerged from it. It swayed side to side as it traveled toward Druhastuṃār.
“Druhastuṃār, I release you from your contract.”
The light vanished, and Druhastuṃār stood back up. He went before Nakthaḥm with his regal pose, and his two swords joined together and pierced into the ground. And surprisingly, he spoke within the common Prekrd of the Central continent:
I have done what was commanded and so am released;
Now I ask, what do you desire?
Nakthaḥm smiled and gave some pats to his kin’s gnarled armor. “Journey back home, and report to the lord what has been done here.”
Druhastuṃār then spoke some more words in that strange tongue to Nakthaḥm before turning to the others and intoning:
Se shakrd-hovahm Arhaḥṃār!
That One and All shall manifest in you and us!
He stepped into the hole and sank back into the ground. When he could no more be seen, the hole shut, and the light of the circle dissipated. The space was dark, and all save the high priest, who wept, remained quiet.
