He's a Mess of a Man

Book Two ~ Chapter Thirteen

Leviathan barely opened his eyes to see Nafizah bent over him, "It is time," she said before drifting away without another word.

"You'd think she could wake us up without staring like that," Lucio huffed. Feeling better rested but still groggy, he and Leviathan made their way back to The World's spring.

The turtle looked much improved. It stood on its stubby legs, waiting for Lucio and Leviathan at the spring's edge. Asra and Nadia were already up as well, waiting with Nafizah. "Lucio. Might I trouble you for a lift?" asked The World.

"Huh? Me? Sure thing!" Lucio kneeled down and gently scooped up the turtle in his cupped hands, "This good? Anything else I gotta do for this ritual thing?"

"Do not drop The World," said Nafizah.

"Right. Of course," Lucio nodded, "No dropping very important turtles."

"Leviathan. Hold out the tarot deck," The World requested. Everyone's eyes fell on him. Feeling a little self-conscious, he reached into his pocket and produced the deck. Its power radiated stronger than ever, a brilliant flame that didn't burn Leviathan's hands.

"Like this?"

The World nodded, "Yes. Now close your eyes. Envision the world you wish for."

"The world I wish for..." The marketplace in Vesuvia. The smell of pumpkin bread. Asra's magic shop. Julius. Lucio at the masquerade, and the taste of champagne on his lips. A flood of memories rushed through Leviathan. But just then, Scout barked an urgent warning, and Leviathan's eyes flew open. A yawning portal opened before the group. Choking smoke poured out.

"You did not invite me to this charming reunion," scowled The Devil, "How very rude." Leviathan instinctively threw up his shield spell, and The Devil's soft, mocking laughter reached his ears. With a wave of its claws, the lethal red haze cleared, "You have survived my new world and eluded my minions. But I tire of this game."

"Yeah, well, we're all sick of you too!" Lucio yelled as he drew his sword with one hand, curling the other protectively around the tiny World Turtle. "Get out of here."

"Ah, little Lucio, I'm afraid I can't do that."

Asra and Nadia closed in on The Devil, placing themselves between Leviathan and it. "I won't let you hurt Leviathan," Asra growled.

"Not another step, or I shall run you through," said the Countess. Even Scout brandished their staff threateningly.

The Devil tsked softly, completely unfazed by all the weapons pointed at it, "Must it always come to violence? You mortals are so uncivilized."

"There need not be violence," said Nafizah, "Daruude suggests that you simply leave."

"An excellent suggestion. I shall do just that... Once I have what I came for," The Devil said as it clasped its clawed hands, and black chains erupted from the earth. The chains enveloped everyone else, dragging them all together in a hopeless knot.

"This magic-!" Nafizah struggled.

"What is the meaning of this?!" yelled Countess Nadia.

Lucio laughed, "Is this old trick the best you've got? Go on, Levi! Let that bastard have it!"

"He's right," thought Leviathan, "I know how to deal with this." With a quick shrug, the chains encircling Leviathan crumbled to dust. He sprang toward the others to free them.

"Fool." The Devil's shadow suddenly erupted from the earth to lash out at Leviathan. He twisted, trying to dodge out of the way and the shadow whipped up, knocking the tarot deck from his hands. Each of Leviathan's heartbeats pounded in his ears. The tarot deck slowly arced through the air, just ahead of Leviathan's racing fingers. "You should take better care of your things." With a single, brutal stab, The Devil's blackened claws pierced through the deck. Black flames engulfed the cards.